The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-20
In the House.

I'm the House.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10-rhe speaker an
noiInced the committee ON rules as follows:
Messrs. Randall, Mills, Reed and Cannon.
Mr.. Dibblc, Of South Carolina, offered a
resolution referring to the committee on APP
preparations the reports OF the court of
claims on the French spoliaton claims, with
instructions to that committee 10 report all
claims which have been decided favorably 10
the claimants in the general deficiency hill
Mr. Blount, of Georgia, objected 20 in
strIciing committee 10 report back claims
which would involve millions OF dollars, be-
fore the resolution containing such instruc-
tions had been considered by a committee.
Mr.. Randall coincided in this view, and
suggested that the resolution be referred to
the committee on claims.
Mr.. Dibble said that the amount involved
in the spolation claims was vanously csti
mated at from ~, 00O, 600 to S30,OO0,OOO Ac-
cording to the best estimate he could make,
the amount involved was about SO, 900, 900
The amount involved IN his resolution was
only SiiS,O00 But II the government owed
the claimants the money, as had been de-
cidcd hy the court Of claims, the question OF
amount was Of secondary importance.
MIR Blount could see no reason why these
claims should be placed in any more favor
able position than any other claims, since
the act referring the spoliation claims 20 the
court ot claims expressly declared that the
report OF the court should not be considered
In the right OF judgment, but merely as AL.
yisory 10 Congress
Mr. Dibblc denied that there was anything
IN the resolution to commit the House TO
favorable action in the matter Of these
claims.
Mr. Reed, OF Maine. supported the rcsoln.
ton. Congress had referred the claims to n
court for judicial ascertainmont, aud the
court had decided in certain eases the United
States was liable. IL seemed to him that after
having kept the claimants waiting Tor nearly
eighty years, Congress ought now 10 make
no more dilatory opposition 20 the claims,
but ought 10 come aquarcly up to the yes or
no answer
Mr. Springer, Of Illinois, regarded the res
olutiOn rs interfering with the orderly pro-
ccdurc OF the House, since Il took away the
rightful jurisdiction OF tho committee ON
claims and conferred that jurisdiction upon
the committee on appropriations. There
was no more reason Why these claims should
10 To- the committee on appropriations than
that the claims reported 10 Congress under
the provisions Of the Bowman act should
be given that reference.
Mr.. Rogers, of Arkansas, thought that the
resolution was premature. III called upon
TO vote now he would vote against the pay
mcnt Of these claims. Tho department of
justice was dissatisfied with tho quasi juda.
mcnt Of tie court Of claims. but II the
supreme court should settle shc question
involved aaninst the United States hc would
be guided by that final decision and vote for
AN appropriation 10 meet H.
The previous was orlcrcd--ycas. 100; nayH
81; and the resolution was adopted.
Mr.. White, Of New York, offered n rcsolu-
tion requesting the SccrUHTy ~ the Interior
a. communicate 90 the House n statement in
detail of the plan Of legislation referred o.
IN his recent report ~ the President, and
thought by him 30 ha necessary Tor the dis
position oi the pubic timber lands so as to
secure nt the same time the preservation of
the natural forest lands nt the headWaicrs of
nayimhlc rivers, aud put within the reach
Of settlers a legal means ~ providing them
selves with timber for building their homes,
fuel and other domestic purposes. lie.
fcrrcd.
The following resolutions suggesting
changes Ia the rules were presented, aud re-
fcrrrd IN the committee on rules
by Mr.. Buckelcw, Of Pennsylvania: For
the appointment Of select committee on th.
rcscntntiVcs In Congress
Hy Mr.. BcckinHdgc, of Arkansas Pro
yiding that oil appropriations for naefing
operations, for the paw 81 regularly employed
officials and for other subjects not otherwise
provided Tor, shall be IN n separate bin from
ihe river and harhor hill AMI requiring csti-
mates for The cost of other than snagsing
operations 10 accompany the hill. All works |
other than nngging operations. of which the !
final cost ~ completion Is los. than $4,000.
may " provided for In q separate bill. while !
every other work of which shall exceed that /
amount must be embodied In n separate bin. |
and it shall not be In order io make such an
unless the bill provides for the !
of the work. The amendment |
also gives the river and hathor bin the same /
privileges In the matter ui consideration a. |
Is accsplcd the general appropriation bills
Ry Mr.. Brewer, ~ Michigan: Requiring |
the speaker 10 appoint the committees with /
IN two weeks Of tie meeting of Congress.
Mr.. GrosycnOr ~ Ohio, offered rs0lu. |
ton calling ON the Secretary u War Tor n /
statement Of tic plan and scope Of the com. /
pilation of the Official records oi the war of |
the rebellion, specifying any change IN ar. |
or subject matter Ia be published |
from that followed while the publication was 1
In charge of the late Lieut. Col. Scott. and /
also for copies of all ordcn and communica- |
tons relating 20, permitting or refusing ac-
rCa to such portions of tic war records as
have been selected for publication. Referred. |
The House then adjourned TIL tolnUrow. |
A DAY OF SURPRISES.
Daisy p Defeated by tho Pointer, Lad